MovieChat Forums > Mission: Impossible II (2000) Discussion > Anybody else unapologetically like this ...

Anybody else unapologetically like this movie?

posted 12 years ago by BelmontHeir
60 replies | jump to latest

I rewatched it last week and found that it's aged remarkably well, considering that it has long been criticized as a Cruise vanity project. The fact is, nobody makes action movies like this anymore - give me Tom Cruise over Sam Worthington any day. John Woo has style to spare. The 'sports car love scene' may be ridiculous on a certain level but it's flawless from a technical standpoint.

I really enjoyed the well executed action sequences; to my eyes Cruise and Thanide Newton had decent chemistry; and Lord knows that Woo filmed Newton as flatteringly as humanly possible. I also enjoyed the way Dougray Scott's character was set up as a dark double of Ethan Hunt.

[–] jaerell626 9 years ago

Me, but I like John Woo's style so that's probably why.

[–] Drooch 9 years ago

It's the dumb blonde of the series but I still love it. It's vastly different to and much less 'thinky' than the first film, but it unashamedly embraces the Woo action opera with trademark broad emotional strokes and lavish slow-mo carnage.

There are things about it that just press my buttons - Thandie Newton is unbelievably stunning - she's a more realistic match for movie-star-pretty-boy Cruise than plane-Jane Monaghan from 3 (and 4). You simply can't not enjoy watching that face, and everything else.

Zimmer's score is one of his best, it soars in harmony with the balletic action, and adds a cool electric guitar mood to the flame-lit night scenes, as well as Spanish twangs for the love story.

Cruise's mountain-climbing opening. Weirdly another Zimmer/Cruise opening that uses Iko Iko to great effect (like Rain Man (are these deliberate references to old Cruise films here like him on his 'Top Gun bike' and oddly saying 'Risky' later in the film..?) Anyway, it looks goddam amazing and is palm-sweatingly tense. Sumptuous, like much of the film.

Hopkins is in it. He rocks as ever.

What can I say, I've been seduced by the dumb blonde.

[–] John_Dee_007 9 years ago

Thandie Newton is unbelievably stunning - she's a more realistic match for movie-star-pretty-boy Cruise than plane-Jane Monaghan from 3 (and 4). You simply can't not enjoy watching that face, and everything else.

Woo really filmed her as flatteringly as possible. She's half the reason this film has such rewatch value for me. That impossibly adorable face, her sweet English accent, and that skin... it positively glows. It's the main problem I had adjusting to the third film, that Ethan had moved on. From that? To this? No. Just no.

OCJOC

[–] ursulazsenya 8 years ago

I completely agree. It's really a shame that she couldn't have stayed on in subsequent films because this kind of high-drama high-tension romance made far better sense for the film and the Ethan Hunt character than the 'retirement cake' storyline of MI 3.

[–] brandonking647 9 years ago

The sport car love scene coupled with hans zimmer's score made this movie the best in the franchise! This is my fav M:I movie.

[–] ChocolateFrankenstein 9 years ago

It's a dumb action movie with a lot of visual flair. I enjoy it for what it is not for what it's not. 

Say it loud! I'm a plebian and proud! 

[–] MydnightRose 9 years ago

I love this movie a lot. There are some scenes that I can never get out of my head and the soundtrack was great.

 Superman & Wonder Woman

[–] danzig138-668-939218 9 years ago

It's a dumb action movie

Yes, it is. Except for all the parts that aren't action. And I love me some dumb action films.

with a lot of visual flair

Except it did not have a lot of visual flare. The problem with this movie isn't that it's a dumb action film, it's that it's a poorly executed dumb action film. There are crappier direct to video movies that are far more stupid, but still manage to be better at what this movie was trying to be.

-----
WORDS MEAN THINGS! Also, before you come to bitch about a plot hole, rewatch the show/movie.

[–] andyd-1 8 years ago

I like the ridiculousness of it, like pointless somersaulting fight moves when you could of stuck the boot straight in and taking masks of yourself on a mission, just on the off chance you can get one over on the baddie, when it would have been better to just kill him.

[–] voight84 8 years ago

nothing wrong with M:I 2 but a lot of wrong with Lame uh Rogue Nation

They hate us 'cause they ain't us

[–] Merrida 8 years ago

Yep, totally! Loved this movie. I don't understand all the hate either. Cruise is consistent in his delivery for action movies with a high physical demand. That makes them incredibly enjoyable to watch and very entertaining. I didn't quite buy into the love connection, but it was sufficient. I enjoy that his films primarily focus on the intensity of action.

______________________________________
Sic vis pacem para bellum.

[–] miike80 8 years ago

I love MI:2 and I love John Woo. Just thinking about the " injection" scene and Zimmer's score there gives me shivers. On the other hand I thing MI3 is the worst of the series and the problem with MI4 is the last half hour. After the awesome Dubai scene it falls on its head. I mean, who remembers the India scene?

even equiped with a shovel and you couldn't dig this

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]